הוּא (hu)
hu
he/she/it
A:PerP-CSQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:PerP-CS
Word Overview
The Hebrew word hu is the basic third-person singular pronoun, meaning "he," "she," or "it." It appears frequently in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Daniel and Ezra, where it serves as a simple grammatical bridge to identify subjects or objects. Its primary function is to point directly to a person or thing already known in the context.
While often translated simply as "he" or "it," hu carries specific rhetorical weight when used for emphasis. Lexical sources note its use in resuming a subject after an interruption or anticipating a subject before the verb arrives. This allows the text to highlight who is acting, ensuring clarity in complex narrative structures common in historical books like Ezra.
Its versatility extends beyond simple reference. In certain contexts, it functions almost like a relative pronoun or affirms existence, acting as a standalone assertion that something "is" or "exists." This usage underscores the word’s foundational role in Hebrew syntax, providing the necessary anchors for subject identification without adding descriptive detail.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word hu is simply a pronoun meaning he, she, or it. You might think such a small word carries little weight, but it does something important for your reading of Scripture. It acts as a clear pointer. When the text uses it, you know exactly who or what is being discussed. This clarity helps you follow the story without getting lost in complex grammar.
In books like Daniel and Ezra, this word often highlights God’s active role. For example, in Daniel 2:21, the text says He changes times and seasons. The pronoun draws your eye to God as the one in control. It reminds you that history is not random. Someone is guiding events.
When you read these verses, let this simple word ground you. You are reading about a God who reveals secrets and rules over kings. This clarity in the text offers stability. It shows that God is present and active in your world today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it5×
- he4×
- and/ it3×
- and/ he2×
- [are] it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ה֣וּא3×
- וְ/ה֤וּא2×
- הִ֣יא2×
- וְ֠/הוּא1×
- וְ/הִ֣יא1×
- וְ/הִ֖יא1×
- הֽוּא\׃\ \פ1×
- הִֽיא\׃1×
- ה֤וּא1×
- ה֛וּא1×
- ה֔וּא1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.
The pronoun emphasizes God as the direct agent who changes times and sets up kings.
-
Daniel 2:28
but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head on your bed are these:
It identifies the specific source of revelation, distinguishing the true God from human wisdom.
-
Daniel 2:44
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people; but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.
The word points to the God of heaven as the builder of an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed.